by Brian Cotton
Chapter .18
Paxton allowed the double doors behind him to shut. The vastness of the large room caused a small echo as they did. In front were rows of wooden chairs with a stage at the far back. On top of the stage rested a large oak desk, its surface with a fresh shine from the multiple wax jobs it received on a daily basis. At the back of the stage stood a large American flag with its pole inside a pure gold flag post. The Committee members were already filed in. They were seated behind the oak desk with emotionless, intent looks on their faces.
The Committee said nothing to Paxton while he walked down the aisles formed by the chairs. He walked to the podium that stood in front of the stage. He moved his eyes down the desk at each of the members. They all wore the same attire: black suits with white shirts and black ties. All of them except for the decorated general who sat at the far left end of the desk. He still showed off his former Army uniform with all the medals which included the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Pat Roberson, a former Senate member from Mississippi, sat at the center of the table. He served as The Committee’s leader. On the far right side sat Gregory O’Leary, former Congressman from Boston. Nicholas Olyphant sat next to Roberson on his right side. Before the USR, he was a rising Senator from New York who almost made a presidential run. A natural politician, he used his charm and charisma to win over voters, but ultimately lost in his bid for the White House. Billy Hayes sat next to Roberson at the left. Hayes, the youngest member, was picked up by The Committee at a young age where they raised him and schooled him on the American way. He was well on his way to becoming a true leader within the rebellion. General Hank Blackman sat next to him, Blackman was the only one that Paxton respected and he trusted him whole heartedly.
Paxton approached the podium and cleared his throat. He watched as Roberson peered at him through those gold rimmed glasses and clear lenses. The nervousness grew inside. It was never a good thing when he stood in front of his superiors and not one of them greeted him.
“Mr. Paxton,” Roberson said. “How is the old chum today? We weren’t expecting you back here so soon.”
“I’ve gotta new recruit. Wanted to run him by you fellas today.”
“A new recruit? John, why are we only hearing of this now?”
“I apologize that it’s short notice. But, Danny vouches for him. He trained him in the boxing ring for months.”
“You’ve gone through the normal procedures, then?”
Paxton cleared his throat, “Not exactly, sir. But, Danny vouches for him.”
“That’s not good enough, soldier.” General Blackman said.
“General, sir, with all due respect, we just lost a man, right? We’re shorthanded and this guy just fell into our laps.”
“Just fell,” Hayes joked. “Like an angel from heaven?”
“Something like that,” Paxton replied, not finding the humor.
Roberson cut in. “So, you haven’t run the proper background checks on him? You haven’t made sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he isn’t a USR sleeper?”
“Not necessarily.” Paxton replied.
“What do you mean, not necessarily?” Blackman demanded.
“I mean to say that I have reasonable suspicions that he is not a sleeper.”
Olyphant’s turn, “I don’t like it. Guy just pops in out of the gray and you just up and offer him a job? Up and bring him here? You’ve already gotten one man killed this week and now this. You are getting reckless.”
The burning sensation in Paxton’s cheek told him his face turned red in anger. He didn’t know this Olyphant character very well, but what he saw of him, said that Olyphant was a prick. The guy was a peace loving fanatic and, as such, didn’t respect the sacrifices that Paxton and his team made every day and night, the sacrifice that Zach made. Damn politicians.
“Let me explain.” Paxton said.
“This had better be good,” Roberson said. He looked down at his gold Rolex. “You know how valuable our time is, especially now.”
“Danny went through the normal recruitment routine with this Ryan Kaspar. Ryan fought many fights and never lost one. He had this fight with Razor, got DQ’d and it looks like he will never fight again. Cost the bookies too much cash.”
“And this,” Olyphant again, “helps his cause how?”
“Shut up for five minutes and let me tell you.”
“That’s enough!” Roberson ordered. He slammed his fist into the table. “You will speak to us with respect, Mr. Paxton.”
“Yes, sir, my apologies.” Paxton said.
“Now, please, go on.”
“He found his mother dead on her couch. Danny arranged a meeting, everything checks out on his end. From what I could tell, this was no set up. He’s genuinely angry and wants to see an end to the senseless killings.”
“So,” Roberson said, “you’re sure this isn’t a case of you being desperate.”
“I’ve still got good men. But, you of all people should know, we are always operating under some degree of desperation.”
Olyphant shook his head, “I must admit that you have become so reckless that we should be in discussion about your future with us. You lose a man, that’s fine. I can understand your situation there. But, you’ve also caused a media circus with your charades, not to mention the USR sending more and more of their Agents out there every day. And, now, you bring this…bastard in here who you admit to knowing little about all because that wiseass Danny says he’s clean. I say, the answer is no.”
“What the hell would you know about what we do?” Paxton demanded.
“I would say I know a lot.”
“You don’t know shit. You sit here all day behind that desk of yours while my men and I are out there, bleeding and dying. All you know how to do is talk and, quite frankly, I’m tired of hearing it.”
“You little son of a bitch.”
“Come on, let’s go. One on one, right now, maybe your balls will finally drop.”
“Enough!” Roberson cried. “Bring the little bastard in here. Let’s see what he’s like before we make any rash judgments. But, I will warn you, if this turns around to bite us in the ass; you’re through, Mr. Paxton.”
“Understood,” Paxton replied.
